Hurricanes, tropical storms and other threats from the sea have been a recurring fact of life for Floridians. For the insurance industry, the losses from all those storms over the years have begun to prompt the question: has a "new normal" arrived for determining risk in coastal development, and when is enough, enough? [Source: The Weather Channel]

A mixed year ahead for Latin American economies

There’s a growing consensus in Brazil, which is South Florida’s largest trading partner, that the current economic course is not the correct one. However, the economic outlook is more promising for the Andean region [Source: Miami Herald]

After the housing market collapsed in spectacular fashion six years ago, Florida became known as much for its abandoned houses as its white sand beaches and palm trees. Many homes fell into disrepair and became the target of looters and vagrants. In some respects, the situation in the state is much improved. [Source: Huffington Post]

Florida ranks high in workplace safety

The bad news: 4,669 people across the nation died in 2011, the most recent data available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics. The good news: Florida ranks in the group of safest states. Florida recorded 226 on-the-job fatalities, landing the Sunshine State a ranking of 15th out of the 50 states. That’s a ratio of 2.9 deaths per 100,000 workers. [Source: Florida Times-Union]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Palm Beach County enjoys state's top wage after 7.6% jump[South Florida Sun-Sentinel] Palm Beach County enjoyed one of the highest wage-growth rates in the nation last year — and the county is once again No. 1 in the state for highest average pay — according to the latest data released Thursday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

› Plan to deepen Port Everglades scaled back[South Florida Sun-Sentinel] A long-stalled plan to deepen Port Everglades to accommodate larger cargo ships inched forward Thursday with the announcement of a scaled-down proposal that would be cheaper and cause less environmental damage.

› Early scallop season could boost Big Bend tourism[Orlando Sentinel] Gov. Rick Scott gave a nice gift to the Big Bend tourism industry Wednesday by announcing that the recreational scallop season will open early this year. The decision to start the season June 29 instead of July 1 tacks on another weekend to what has become a source of visitors for some Gulf Coast areas.